Molecule Design With ML-Guided Synthesis Route Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current molecule design and synthesis methods rely heavily on end-user input, leading to increased costs, delays, and biased results due to the breakdown of the process into user-dependent stages.
Innovation Solution
An end-to-end system utilizing machine learning techniques for both molecule design and synthesis route computation, including a molecular design module and a synthesis route computation module, which autonomously generates candidate molecules and determines viable synthesis routes using tree search methods and machine learning models to recognize valid chemical reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current molecule design and synthesis methods are used, then expert knowledge and intuition can guide the process, but the process breaks down into user-dependent stages creating burden, costs and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the molecule design module and synthesis route computation module into a single integrated system. The molecular design module generates candidate molecules, and the synthesis route computation module immediately evaluates their synthesizability, eliminating the need for separate user-dependent stages. This integration allows the system to simultaneously consider both molecular properties and synthesis feasibility, reducing time loss while maintaining design quality through automated feedback loops.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically evaluating synthesis routes for generated molecules without requiring expert intervention at each stage. The synthesis route computation module autonomously determines whether candidate molecules can be practically synthesized, and the system uses this information to guide future molecule generation, reducing user burden and process time while maintaining reliability through iterative self-improvement.
2Reliability
If current molecule design and synthesis methods are used, then expert knowledge can direct the process, but costs and delays are introduced due to user-dependent stages
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-evaluation of synthesis feasibility through the synthesis route computation module, which automatically assesses whether generated molecules can be practically manufactured. This eliminates the need for expensive expert consultation at each design stage while maintaining reliability through automated computational evaluation of synthesis routes and feedback to the molecule design module.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback loops where the synthesis route computation module evaluates candidate molecules and provides information back to the molecular design module. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn from synthesis feasibility assessments and guide future molecule generation toward candidates that are both desirable and manufacturable, reducing costs by eliminating repeated expert interventions.
3Ease of operation
If current molecule design and synthesis methods are used, then the process can be broken down into stages, but this creates bias in results due to user dependence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines molecule design and synthesis evaluation into a single automated system that operates without human intervention at critical decision points. The molecular design module and synthesis route computation module work together as an integrated pipeline, eliminating user-dependent stages that could introduce bias while maintaining process flexibility through configurable parameters and iterative optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves objectivity by having the synthesis route computation module autonomously evaluate candidate molecules without user influence. The automated feedback mechanism ensures that results are determined by computational assessment of synthesis feasibility rather than user bias, while the system remains flexible in exploring different molecular candidates and synthesis pathways.
4Reliability
If traditional synthesis route determination is used, then viability can be assessed, but the process is slow and requires significant user input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual expert assessment of synthesis routes with an automated machine learning-based synthesis route computation module. This module uses trained models to rapidly evaluate whether candidate molecules can be practically synthesized, maintaining accuracy comparable to expert assessment while increasing productivity by evaluating numerous molecules in parallel without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The synthesis route computation module autonomously assesses the viability of candidate molecules without requiring user input for each evaluation. The system self-manages the computationally intensive task of determining synthesis feasibility, maintaining reliability through accurate computational assessment while dramatically increasing productivity by processing multiple candidates simultaneously and providing automated feedback to guide further exploration.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method of designing a molecule and determining a route to synthesise the molecule is provided. The method comprises: receiving one or more desired properties of the molecule; generating one or more candidate molecules using a first machine learning technique that uses the one or more desired properties of the molecule as an input; and for at least one candidate molecule, computing one or more routes to synthesise the candidate molecule using a second machine learning technique.